American Shorthair White

When settlers sailed from Europe to North America, they carried cats on board (ships' cats) to protect the stores from mice —for instance, the cats that came over on the Mayflower with the Pilgrims to hunt rats on the ship and in the colony. Many of these cats landed in the New World, interbred, and developed special characteristics to help them cope with their new life and climate. Early in the 20th century, a selective breeding program was established to develop the best qualities of these cats.